The practice of emergency medicine today is significantly different from when ACEM was founded in 1983, and there are vital questions to be answered.

  • How is the scope of the specialty and the role of emergency physicians changing?
  • What are the skills and training necessary to deliver effective and compassionate emergency care in increasingly complex healthcare contexts?
  • What is needed to create sustainable and satisfying careers in emergency medicine?

Watch FACEMs explain the context and intent behind the summit in the video below

The summit brought together ACEM Board members, councillors and committee chairs in person, along with hundreds of members and trainees who joined proceedings online. Short presentations about key topics representing the specialty’s ‘growing pains’ were delivered and generated rich discussion. Afterwards, a survey was circulated seeking further input and feedback on the issues raised. Information from the summit and survey was collated and examined.

Reflecting the breadth of the ACEM community, input was varied. However, some key themes emerged, including:

  • Commitment to the acute, generalist, clinical core of the specialty
  • Strong dedication to serving the community and meeting the needs of people who seek emergency care
  • Recognition of the diverse career options available to emergency physicians, and the challenges and opportunities that supporting the breadth of practice presents for the College
  • Reflection on the critical role of emergency medicine in healthcare systems, and pride that emergency physicians are increasingly assuming sector-wide leadership roles
  • Identification of three areas for core focus: resuscitation, decision making and leadership
  • Support for ACEM to continue to advocate for improved healthcare systems, structures and resources necessary to provide high-quality and humanistic emergency care

Watch Professor Sally Redman AO reflect on facilitating the Emergency Medicine – Building Our Future Summit

 

Additional resources

  • Looking to the future of College
  • The summit as a part of College history

Additional resources and information on outcomes and next steps will be added as this important work progresses.

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